Heavy rain and gale force winds are expected across New Zealand this week.

The MetService has issued a severe weather watch across New Zealand as a large low crosses the Tasman Sea today. It is likely to spread a band of rain and strengthening easterlies over the North Island and upper South Island in the next few days.

Heavy rain is expected for the East Coast of the North Island, and south-easterly gales for the West Coast of the South Island.

In Hawkes Bay and Gisborne, more than 100 mm may fall in 24 hours, from Friday morning through to Saturday evening.

In Nelson, Buller and Westland, south-easterly gales could become severe on Friday, lasting until Saturday morning.

In north-eastern Northland heavy rain is expected on Thursday afternoon and evening, when up to 30mm of rain may fall in an hour.

The MetService advises people to stay up to date with the latest forecasts.

Auckland• Thursday: cloud will increase, with rain developing in the afternoon. North easterlies will strengthen. • Friday: early showers will possibly become heavy with a developing south easterly. Hamilton• Thursday: early fog will lead onto cloud and then afternoon rain with north easterlies will develop. • Friday: rain will ease and then clear. Palmerston North• Thursday: high cloud will thicken as strong easterlies develop. • Friday: rain will ease and then clear, with a strong gusty south-easterly.Wellington• Thursday: cloud will increase along with south-easterly winds.• Friday: rain will ease to showers and southerlies will rise to gale.Christchurch• Thursday:- north-easterlies will develop with cloud cover and fine afternoon breaks. • Friday: occasional rain will clear with southerlies that will die out. Queenstown- • Thursday: will become fine with light winds and a later southerly change. • Friday: becomes fine early, south easterly will die out. Dunedin -• Thursday: a sunny day with northerlies can be expected, with cloud and a southerly at night. • Friday: a few early showers, then fine weather is expected. Southerlies dying out in the evening.